Is Coffee Good For You?

Posted by Deborah Graefer, L.Ac., MTOM
on
May 16, 2018

The Link Between Coffee and Your Gallbladder

More than 600 billion cups of coffee are consumed by the world’s
population yearly. That demand makes it the second most sought-after commodity
in the world after crude oil. The coffee industry also serves as a livelihood
for more than 25 million people. Based on global market trends, it is still
expected to increase in the next few decades as the millennial population fuels
its industry growth with the promotion of the “café culture”. From being a medicinal
herb to becoming a breakfast beverage of choice, coffee has now evolved to
being a status symbol as well.

Despite the overwhelming numbers and worldwide patronage of coffee, one
question remains unanswered – is coffee good or bad? Unfortunately, there is no
definitive response to that. In our Gallbladder Food list, we have categorized
coffee under the “do not consume” list for a number of reasons, all of which
will be discussed in this blog. It is very important for patients suffering
from gallbladder attacks to avoid coffee. On the other hand, science proves
that coffee may also support the liver and the bile. So is coffee your gallbladder’s
friend or foe? That all depends.

For sure, coffee has its merits. In fact, it has historically been used
as an herbal medicine due to the therapeutic effects of its components. So
although we can’t say yet that we recommend coffee drinking, coffee drinkers
may be happy to know that they have good reason to do so. We’ll present you
with the facts and let you be the judge. But before we enumerate the good and
bad news, let’s acquaint ourselves with some basic things we need to know about
coffee:

Quick Coffee Facts

The term “coffee” originated from the word
qahiya which means “to lack hunger”, referring to coffee’s effects
on appetite. Throughout the Arabic-speaking world, coffee was called
qahwa which was previously a term that
referred to wine and thus it became known among the Europeans as the “wine of
Islam”. The earliest documented evidence of coffee was also found in Arabia,
dating back to the 13
th -15th centuries. As early as that
time, coffee was said to be prepared in a manner similar to what we do today –
roasted and brewed. Legends however, claim that coffee has been consumed way
before that time. It is said that 1000 years ago, coffee wasn’t enjoyed in its
liquid form. Instead, Ethiopian people used to eat the beans together with some
animal fat to boost their energy. Chinese medicine practitioners have also used
coffee for therapeutic purposes. It is said to regulate and sink the Qi, open
orifices, move bowels, and help with respiratory conditions as a
bronchodilator.

Rumi and Coffee

You probably know of the
famous 13th century estatic poet, Rumi who was a Sufi or mystic. While we don’t
know if he drank coffee or not, the Shadhiliyya Sufi order is attributed to the
spreading of coffee drinking around the same time when Rumi lived and wrote.
These Sufis were most interested in its ability to promote wakefulness and used
it during their all-night spiritual dhikrs or vigils. In fact, in Algeria,
coffee is sometimes called
shadhiliyye
in reference to the Shadhiliyya shaykh who introduced it.

The Obvious Effects on Sleep

As people from centuries ago already know, coffee has an obvious impact
on sleep and rest. As we have mentioned in our previous post, the availability
and intake of caffeine-rich beverages such as coffee, tea, and power drinks
contribute to the disruption of the circadian rhythm. This results to poor
digestion and compromised gut health among others, thus affecting the
gallbladder.

Studies in humans have shown that caffeine increases cortisol and
epinephrine at rest, and that levels of cortisol after caffeine consumption are
similar to those experienced during an acute stress. Coffee activates our
fight-or-flight response as it triggers the adrenal glands. It may be good if
you’re trying to keep awake. However, it will definitely take its toll on you
in the long run. Drinking coffee, in other words, re-creates stress conditions
for the body.

Nutrition Facts for CoffeeThe nutritional profile of coffee is difficult to qualify and quantify because
of all the variables. Also, the preparation and flavor which may entail the
addition of milk, cream, or other sweeteners, definitely affects the type and
amount of nutrients fund in each cup (not to mention digestion). But if we are to breakdown 1 cup (8 fl oz) of
black, medium strength, caffeinated coffee, it is approximately made up of 41%
carbs, 17% fats, and
42% protein.

5 Important Links between Coffee
and the Gallbladder

1.Coffee induces gallbladder contraction

Among all the links between coffee and the biliary system, this must be
the most significant. Coffee ingestion, whether it is caffeinated or
decaffeinated, increases cholecystokinin release and gallbladder contractions. Cholecystokinin
is a gastrointestinal hormone produced in the duodenum of the small intestine in
response to food intake. It is responsible for stimulating the release of bile
from the gallbladder and digestive enzymes from the pancreas, facilitating the
digestive process. It also relaxes the sphincter of Oddi at the end of the bile
duct, allowing for the flow of bile and pancreatic enzymes into the small
intestine.

Gallbladder contraction is a good thing - usually. It needs to contract in order to eject the bile. But if the gallbladder is inflamed, contraction can hurt. And if it's full of stones, those stones can be pushed out and get stuck in the bile ducts, causing a gallbladder attack or more pain.

Contraction can be helpful in the prevention of gallstones as it keeps the bile moving and biliary sludge from forming, and studies back that up.

2.Coffee supports digestion and metabolism

Coffee induces a series of digestive effects, including gastrin
release, increased gastric acid secretion, prolonged relaxation of the stomach,
and increased rectum and colonic activity (thus helping with to keep the bowel
moving). Because of these physiological changes, coffee is often blamed for
some gastrointestinal discomfort such as dyspepsia, diarrhea, and GERD. Some people
feel that it helps ease constipation, cramps, and gas. Among these claims, the
only one with scientific proof is the prevalence of acid reflux and heartburn
among excessive coffee drinkers. It’s definitely on the DO NOT DRINK list for
acidic conditions. However, there are many who find that switching to
cold brew coffee which is 75% lower in acid, makes a big difference. But honestly, if it
wrecks your stomach, better to just leave it alone. Use something like
Adaptogen for a boost in the morning.

Aside from digestion, coffee also influences metabolism. Metabolism is
a series of chemical processes which changes food into energy, but also goes
beyond that to breaking down old cells and building new ones and basically
keeps everything working. According to various studies, coffee consumption has
an impact on fasting glucose metabolism, calcium absorption, lipolysis, and
energy release.

Although the exact impacts of coffee in insulin resistance or diabetes
are not yet defined, few studies show that there is a relationship between the
two. At this point, it’s difficult to conclude that it’s a good thing since
evidences from studies are very different and sometimes even contradicting. Caffeine
in coffee is also said to increase presence of calcium in the urine and feces
which may deteriorate calcium balance as illustrated in some animal studies. As
for its effect on lipolysis, coffee improves breakdown of fats. As a lipolytic
agent, caffeine in coffee helps spare the utilization of stored glycogen during
moderate exercise, thus increasing endurance. Caffeine is also said to burn
hepatic fat. Lastly, coffee’s impact on energy release may help boost physical and
cognitive performance.

3.Coffee may help support the liver

Coffee and all its components help the liver in so many ways. First,
coffee contains chlorogenic, ferulic, caffeic, and n-coumaric acids as well as
melanoidins (the brown polymers formed during coffee roasting). All these
components have strong antioxidant and antiradical abilities. As the body’s
biggest built-in detoxifier, the liver needs all the help it can to get rid of
free radicals and oxidative stress. Detoxifying the liver helps it perform its
functions better.

Bile flow is also positively influenced by the intake of coffee. In a
study on the effects of coffee on the duodenal transport and bile excretion in
rats, they found out that regular coffee intake may increase the bile flow rate
by as much as 45%. This helps in the prevention of biliary sludge which is
commonly how a number of gallbladder diseases start. Some studies also prove
the association of coffee consumption to a lower risk in a variety of liver
diseases like liver cancer, cirrhosis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
(NAFLD).

4.Coffee is linked to increased cholesterol levels

There are number of documented researches which state that the diterpenes
cafestol and kahweol found in boiled coffee can raise total cholesterol and LDL
(the bad cholesterol) in humans. However, it seems that this only happens with
the consumption of unfiltered coffee. Paper filter traps most of coffee oil and
diterpenes. Other filtering methods like the sock method using cotton nylon
cloth and metal mesh filtration are also effective.

High cholesterol levels may cause a lot of diseases within the biliary
system like fatty liver disease, gallstones, bile sludge, and many more.
Fortunately, it looks like this fact of coffee can be easily solved.

5.Coffee is associated with weight loss

Achieving and maintaining normal body weight is important for everyone,
especially for those suffering from gallbladder disease. Obesity is also a risk
factor for gallstone development. And if you’re one of the many people who are
looking at coffee to solve this dilemma, you need to read on.

As mentioned earlier, coffee may have an effect on physical
performance. Therefore, coffee consumption may increase energy expenditure, fat
oxidation, and thermogenesis. This means that after coffee ingestion, the body
is able to burn more fat. This is true for both obese and normal weight test
subjects. Peptide YY (PYY), the endogenous peptide associated with satiety and
decreased hunger, is also shown to increase after coffee intake. This supports
the common claim that coffee can lower hunger levels and suppress appetite.

On the other hand, some research studies claim otherwise. Based on
other experiments, excessive caffeine intake may lower the levels of leptin in
the body. This is the “feel full” hormone which tells our brains when it is
time to stop eating. So the jury is still out on this one.

Other Uses of Coffee

Aside from being consumed as a beverage, coffee can be used in many
other different ways.

Coffee Enema

Coffee Scrub

Coffee Oil

Garden Compost and Fertilizer

Insect Repellent

Deodorizer

We have a separate webpage on the benefits and step-by-step
instructions for coffee enema. Coffee enema is a detox practice discovered by
German scientists in the 1920’s that can support the opening of bile ducts and
stimulation of bile production. Check this page if you want to know more about
it.

Healthy Options

Giving up coffee is a seemingly impossible task for many but a
necessary sacrifice for those with gallbladder pain. However, if you are just
looking for healthier alternatives to sweet and fatty frappuccinos and lattes,
here are some options you may want to consider.

1.Bulletproof Coffee

Bulletproof coffee is one of the latest healthy food trends. It’s
strongly advocated by keto diet practitioners who are following a high-fat,
low-carbohydrate diet. There is still very limited scientific evidence to
support the benefits of Bulletproof coffee but it is said to be
anti-inflammatory, appetite suppressing, metabolism boosting, and energy
enhancing. Trending is the addition of medium chain triglycerides,
Bulletproof XCT oil or Bulletproof Brain Octane Oil, surprisingly gives the impression of
cream where there is none. These oils are also good fat for your biliary system
as they bypass the liver.

Green coffee (also known as raw coffee) is the rising star in the
coffee world. In recent years, research studies about its benefits started to
increase. Chlorgenic acids found in green coffee are said to be more
bioavailable than those from traditional roasted coffee beans. Aside from that,
green coffee is said to have an antihypertensive effect, inhibitory effect on
fat accumulation, and modulatory effect on glucose metabolism. This can be
found in supplement form here.

3.Leptin Green Coffee

They say it’s green coffee but better. Leptin green coffee is green
coffee infused with leptin. As discussed earlier, leptin is a peptide that
helps curb appetite and supports the body’s fat burning process. This product
is particularly aimed at individuals who want to enjoy their cup of coffee and
not worry about leptin resistance and weight gain. There are also available supplement versions of the green coffee infused with chlorgenic acid in every pill just like the 100% Pure Green Coffee Bean Extract w/ 50% Chlorogenic Acid.

Causes of Gallbladder Disease

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this site is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please speak with an appropriate healthcare professional when evaluating any wellness related therapy.